A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, whose arrest by U.S. immigration agents has ignited protests and legal battles. The case is unfolding amid a broader crackdown on anti-Israel demonstrations, with President Donald Trump vowing that Khalil’s detention is just the beginning.
Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested in front of his pregnant wife and taken to a federal detention center in Louisiana. His lawyers argue that the government is violating his free speech rights by targeting him for his activism. Protesters and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have condemned the move, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent.
Despite not being charged with any crime, Khalil has been branded a “Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student” by Trump, who insists his presence in the U.S. is against national interests. Meanwhile, federal agents have reportedly been seen near Columbia’s student housing, and at least one other international student may also be facing detention.
The legal fight continues, with Khalil’s team pushing for his return to New York, arguing that his transfer to Louisiana is an attempt to limit his access to legal counsel. A court hearing is set for Wednesday, as tensions over free speech and immigration enforcement escalate across the country.
